66 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
66 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 21
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1 A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:
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He directs it wherever he chooses.
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2 All a person’s ways seem right to him,
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but the Lord weighs hearts.
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3 Doing what is righteous and just
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is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
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4 The lamp that guides the wicked—
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haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin.
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5 The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
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but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.
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6 Making a fortune through a lying tongue
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is a vanishing mist, a pursuit of death.
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7 The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
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because they refuse to act justly.
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8 A guilty one’s conduct is crooked,
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but the behavior of the innocent is upright.
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9 Better to live on the corner of a roof
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than to share a house with a nagging wife.
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10 A wicked person desires evil;
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he has no consideration for his neighbor.
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11 When a mocker is punished,
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the inexperienced become wiser;
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when one teaches a wise man,
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he acquires knowledge.
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12 The Righteous One considers the house of the wicked;
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he brings the wicked to ruin.
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13 The one who shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
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will himself also call out and not be answered.
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14 A secret gift soothes anger,
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and a covert bribe, fierce rage.
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15 Justice executed is a joy to the righteous
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but a terror to evildoers.
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16 The person who strays from the way of prudence
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will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
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17 The one who loves pleasure will become poor;
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whoever loves wine and oil will not get rich.
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18 The wicked are a ransom for the righteous,
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and the treacherous, for the upright.
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19 Better to live in a wilderness
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than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
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20 Precious treasure and oil are in the dwelling of a wise person,
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but a fool consumes them.
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21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
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will find life, righteousness, and honor.
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22 A wise person went up against a city of warriors
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and brought down its secure fortress.
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23 The one who guards his mouth and tongue
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keeps himself out of trouble.
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24 The arrogant and proud person, named “Mocker,”
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acts with excessive arrogance.
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25 A slacker’s craving will kill him
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because his hands refuse to work.
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26 He is filled with craving all day long,
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but the righteous give and don’t hold back.
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27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable—
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how much more so
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when he brings it with ulterior motives!
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28 A lying witness will perish,
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but the one who listens will speak successfully.
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29 A wicked person puts on a bold face,
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but the upright one considers his way.
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30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel
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will prevail against the Lord.
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31 A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
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but victory comes from the Lord. |